2020-2021 Waitlist Support Thread

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If my WL schools don’t have any movement by the end of the week is it safe to say there is very little hope? Or how long should there be no movement at all before I resign myself to the fact that the class is full?
 
koki22z said:
If my WL schools don’t have any movement by the end of the week is it safe to say there is very little hope? Or how long should there be no movement at all before I resign myself to the fact that the class is full?
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I think it's probably best to resign yourself to the fact that the class is full, while holding out hope; at a lot of places, spaces opening on the WL are contingent upon other people getting into other schools off of WLs. I think this movement will continue through May, and then trickle off.
 
I hope that everyone takes a mental break this weekend and spends time with your family, friends, or doing something you enjoy! Having literally just gone through this process for the past few months, I know how physically, mentally, and emotionally draining it is. I think that @Microbe_Hunter said it earlier ITT, but I was in the same boat where my immune system started taking a hit from the stress.

If anyone ever wants to chat with me personally, I welcome any and all messages (if you need to vent, ask for another opinion, etc.). A couple months ago through about a week ago I was the person that would message anyone and everyone to try to find out what they knew, receive advice, and so on. I hope that everyone here knows that I am here for them too.

I am hoping for everyone's success - the WL is not fun, but we've formed a good community here!

Love you guys!

Edit: just realized it's Mother's Day on Sunday, too! Make sure you guys tell your mom how much you love her and are thankful for all that she has done for you!
 
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koki22z said:
If my WL schools don’t have any movement by the end of the week is it safe to say there is very little hope? Or how long should there be no movement at all before I resign myself to the fact that the class is full?
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One week is just too early. Some schools haven't had movement because they're full, and others because they're slow. Why would you think this way without knowing which camp your schools are in?

How many WLs are you on, anyway? As you know, the higher the number, the greater your chances. In any event, less than one week is just too soon to call it. Movement will continue into June and July, but it's not crazy to start to resign yourself to the fact it might not happen by the end of May. End of the first of week of May IS, on the other hand, at least a little premature.
 
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anyone hear anything from UMaryland? I have yet to hear back and was put on hold post-II in January.
 
Dr.EMD said:
Lol I'm taking a practice MCAT RN and every break I check my email so if I get accepted I can shut down my computer, cry, and go to bed. In that specific order.
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Do you know that scene from Avengers: Endgame when they're going to the planet that Thanos resides on to try to bring everyone back and I think it was Natasha that says, "This is gonna work, Steve" and he responds, "I know it is. Cause I don't know what I'm gonna do if it doesn't."? Yeah, that was me with the WL while I was studying for the MCAT retake haha.
 
benzodiazepinacolada said:
Do you know that scene from Avengers: Endgame when they're going to the planet that Thanos resides on to try to bring everyone back and I think it was Natasha that says, "This is gonna work, Steve" and he responds, "I know it is. Cause I don't know what I'm gonna do if it doesn't."? Yeah, that was me with the WL while I was studying for the MCAT retake haha.
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Dude this is the most relatable content I've read. 😂😂😂 I asked my dean yesterday at my masters about what I should do and he goes "cross your fingers HARD but grind on..."
 
KnightDoc said:
One week is just too early. Some schools haven't had movement because they're full, and others because they're slow. Why would you think this way without knowing which camp your schools are in?

How many WLs are you on, anyway? As you know, the higher the number, the greater you chances. In any event, less than one week is just too soon to call it. Movement will continue into June and July, but it's not crazy to start to resign yourself to the fact it might not happen by the end of May. End of the first of week of May IS, on the other hand, at least a little premature.
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I’m on 3 WL, 2 have been silent (that I know of), the other has had a fair bit of movement. You’re probably right, it’s easy to forget that it’s only been one week. Historically both silent schools have had lots of movement May 2 and 3 though, which makes me more cynical than I would otherwise be.
I do appreciate the vote of confidence though, maybe I shouldn’t write myself off just yet!
 
If you’ve changed your mind about your top choice and think there’s no chance you’re getting off the WL there anyway, would it be unethical to write a new Letter of Intent to what was your second choice and is now your top choice? I assume that it probably is but want to hear folks’ thoughts. Also, does writing a second letter when you’ve already written one help, hurt, or do nothing at all? Would especially appreciate adcoms’ input here.
 
hopefulmedstudent2021 said:
If you’ve changed your mind about your top choice and think there’s no chance you’re getting off the WL there anyway, would it be unethical to write a new Letter of Intent to what was your second choice and is now your top choice? I assume that it probably is but want to hear folks’ thoughts. Also, does writing a second letter when you’ve already written one help, hurt, or do nothing at all? Would especially appreciate adcoms’ input here.
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Yeah I think the general consensus is that once you send one, that's the only one you should ever send during that cycle. Otherwise it undermines the power of that letter.
 
hopefulmedstudent2021 said:
If you’ve changed your mind about your top choice and think there’s no chance you’re getting off the WL there anyway, would it be unethical to write a new Letter of Intent to what was your second choice and is now your top choice? I assume that it probably is but want to hear folks’ thoughts. Also, does writing a second letter when you’ve already written one help, hurt, or do nothing at all? Would especially appreciate adcoms’ input here.
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At this point in the cycle, I feel like any school that even sniffs at me is my number 1 tbh. I wish I could ethically express that but I guess the general consensus is to only send one. Maybe if you end up getting rejected at a place you send a LOI, it would be fine to send another one somewhere else? But then again, we'll likely just stay on waitlists till the semester starts.
 
hopefulmedstudent2021 said:
If you’ve changed your mind about your top choice and think there’s no chance you’re getting off the WL there anyway, would it be unethical to write a new Letter of Intent to what was your second choice and is now your top choice? I assume that it probably is but want to hear folks’ thoughts. Also, does writing a second letter when you’ve already written one help, hurt, or do nothing at all? Would especially appreciate adcoms’ input here.
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I think that if you rescind your first letter of intent you could then write another the the previously second place school. You would have to let your 1st choice know that they’re no longer your first though, which is potentially awkward/would probably sabotage any chance of getting off the WL.
Edit: I have spoken to adcoms about the second half of your question, and their answer is always the more contact/reassurance the better! So definitely not hurt. Maybe help slightly, but it’s a bit late in the game so I’m not sure how much it would help.
 
deme3 said:
At this point in the cycle, I feel like any school that even sniffs at me is my number 1 tbh. I wish I could ethically express that but I guess the general consensus is to only send one. Maybe if you end up getting rejected at a place you send a LOI, it would be fine to send another one somewhere else? But then again, we'll likely just stay on waitlists till the semester starts.
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Lol @deme3 that’s such a mood 😓 But keep your head up, it’s still early in terms of WL movement and anything is possible! I share your sentiment though and I think what you’ve noted re rejection is the one edge case where sending a second LOI could be justified
 
koki22z said:
I think that if you rescind your first letter of intent you could then write another the the previously second place school. You would have to let your 1st choice know that they’re no longer your first though, which is potentially awkward/would probably sabotage any chance of getting off the WL.
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Yeah not gonna do this haha. Just won’t send a second LOI. Thanks for the input 🙂
 
I'm scared that if I send an LOI to a school that they'll be more willing to accept me later on in the cycle. They'll know I'll say yes no matter what so they'll go through everyone else on the WL first and then when they're desperate bcus someone drops the A in like late july then they'll go to me. Bcus they know I'll fill the seat. Or am I just paranoid?

Also they might be less willing to give me any financial aid since they know I'll go no matter what
 
The other day, I was at church praying to get off the waitlist (lol). As I was leaving, my clumsy self tipped the hand sanitizer and spilled it on the floor. I had a laugh about it with the man behind me, who introduced himself with a speech impediment. I found out that he woke up from a coma 20 years ago and then went through years of depression and suicidal thoughts. I told him about my dream of going into medicine, and he said to never give up because he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for his doctor.

Before this moment, I was in such a bad place. He reminded me that life could always be worse, and in the case that it does become worse, we will always have the option of picking ourselves up and growing. He was such a bright light that my soul desperately needed.

Since then, my optimism and gratitude have grown. I had found some peace in life’s unpredictability, and I was prepared to deal with whatever cards I would be dealt next.

This morning, I got off one of my 5 waitlists. On my way to church pretty soon. Hope to see that man again 🙂
 
stickyokra said:
The other day, I was at church praying to get off the waitlist (lol). As I was leaving, my clumsy self tipped the hand sanitizer and spilled it on the floor. I had a laugh about it with the man behind me, who introduced himself with a speech impediment. I found out that he woke up from a coma 20 years ago and then went through years of depression and suicidal thoughts. I told him about my dream of going into medicine, and he said to never give up because he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for his doctor.

Before this moment, I was in such a bad place. He reminded me that life could always be worse, and in the case that it does become worse, we will always have the option of picking ourselves up and growing. He was such a bright light that my soul desperately needed.

Since then, my optimism and gratitude have grown. I had found some peace in life’s unpredictability, and I was prepared to deal with whatever cards I would be dealt next.

This morning, I got off one of my 5 waitlists. On my way to church pretty soon. Hope to see that man again 🙂
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I shed tears reading this cus I’m in pretty bad shape rn 🙁
 
stickyokra said:
The other day, I was at church praying to get off the waitlist (lol). As I was leaving, my clumsy self tipped the hand sanitizer and spilled it on the floor. I had a laugh about it with the man behind me, who introduced himself with a speech impediment. I found out that he woke up from a coma 20 years ago and then went through years of depression and suicidal thoughts. I told him about my dream of going into medicine, and he said to never give up because he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for his doctor.

Before this moment, I was in such a bad place. He reminded me that life could always be worse, and in the case that it does become worse, we will always have the option of picking ourselves up and growing. He was such a bright light that my soul desperately needed.

Since then, my optimism and gratitude have grown. I had found some peace in life’s unpredictability, and I was prepared to deal with whatever cards I would be dealt next.

This morning, I got off one of my 5 waitlists. On my way to church pretty soon. Hope to see that man again 🙂
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this is so beautiful ❤️✨ SO happy for you!!!! congratulations future doctor 🙂
 
stickyokra said:
The other day, I was at church praying to get off the waitlist (lol). As I was leaving, my clumsy self tipped the hand sanitizer and spilled it on the floor. I had a laugh about it with the man behind me, who introduced himself with a speech impediment. I found out that he woke up from a coma 20 years ago and then went through years of depression and suicidal thoughts. I told him about my dream of going into medicine, and he said to never give up because he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for his doctor.

Before this moment, I was in such a bad place. He reminded me that life could always be worse, and in the case that it does become worse, we will always have the option of picking ourselves up and growing. He was such a bright light that my soul desperately needed.

Since then, my optimism and gratitude have grown. I had found some peace in life’s unpredictability, and I was prepared to deal with whatever cards I would be dealt next.

This morning, I got off one of my 5 waitlists. On my way to church pretty soon. Hope to see that man again 🙂
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Congratulations friend!! you are gonna be an amazing doctor and thanks for sharing this with us.
 
Dr.EMD said:
Y'all down to go on a road trip if we don't get in this cycle? We can work on secondaries and reapps on the road. We can share in the misery. (I apologize for my mental state RN but it is what it is) 🥺
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Omg what a brilliant idea??? Possibly work on some reapps together while camping out in the middle of nowhere??
 
Ok but one doctor I shadowed told me that in the gap between years 1 and 2 he and his buddies did a road trip around the perimeter of the US...and I was like wait you didn't have to do research or volunteer or make yourself productive for residency apps? And he was shocked that that's expected these days lol
 
Anyone else feel like they're stuck in this weird loop where you're living the same day over and over and over again?
  • Wake up, check emails and SDN school threads
  • Go to work, constantly refreshing emails and SDN threads
  • Develop a feeling of hopefulness while you see movement in your school's WL
  • Hopefulness slowly replaced by depression and anxiety as 5PM arrives
  • Eat, shower, cry, wonder what else you can do and why life is so cruel, sleep
  • *Rinse and repeat the next day...
 
SicilianDragon said:
Anyone else feel like they're stuck in this weird loop where you're living the same day over and over and over again?
  • Wake up, check emails and SDN school threads
  • Go to work, constantly refreshing emails and SDN threads
  • Develop a feeling of hopefulness while you see movement in your school's WL
  • Hopefulness slowly replaced by depression and anxiety as 5PM arrives
  • Eat, shower, cry, wonder what else you can do and why life is so cruel, sleep
  • *Rinse and repeat the next day...
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This except the third step is grow increasingly less hopeful as your school's threads are silent for yet another day
 
tahinitajin said:
I'm scared that if I send an LOI to a school that they'll be more willing to accept me later on in the cycle. They'll know I'll say yes no matter what so they'll go through everyone else on the WL first and then when they're desperate bcus someone drops the A in like late july then they'll go to me. Bcus they know I'll fill the seat. Or am I just paranoid?

Also they might be less willing to give me any financial aid since they know I'll go no matter what
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The same thing has crossed my mind!I think we are both just paranoid though. The adcoms care a lot about their matriculation rate so a for sure yes is big for them
 
Hey everyone 😊

A friendly reminder that if you are feeling super stressed out, and especially if you feel like you might hurt yourself, PLEASE reach out to a counselor or therapist to talk about it. They really help!!

Always remember that you are loved and invaluable! There's no shame in seeking help if you feel down
 
n123123 said:
Hey everyone 😊

A friendly reminder that if you are feeling super stressed out, and especially if you feel like you might hurt yourself, PLEASE reach out to a counselor or therapist to talk about it. They really help!!

Always remember that you are loved and invaluable! There's no shame in seeking help if you feel down
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Echo!!!! You can also go to the gym pop some plates on a bar and squat till you drop. It's almost a metaphor for med schools will put you down and all you have to do it yell and get back up.
 
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Dr.EMD said:
Echo!!!! You can also go to the gym pop some plates on a bar and squat till you drop. It's almost a metaphor for med schools will put you down and all you have to do it yell and get back up.
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Currently, med schools are feeling more like a never-ending plank 😅

...but yes, we definitely need this energy
 
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n123123 said:
Hey everyone 😊

A friendly reminder that if you are feeling super stressed out, and especially if you feel like you might hurt yourself, PLEASE reach out to a counselor or therapist to talk about it. They really help!!

Always remember that you are loved and invaluable! There's no shame in seeking help if you feel down
Click to expand...
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or message us on Facebook Messenger.
 
Just to reiterate some other positive sentiments I've heard from this thread.

KEEP YOUR HELD UP, it's still early! While it might be smart to be cautious, hold out hope for at least a while longer.

Also keep in mind that applicants who receive the call to get off WL before you have usually ~ a week to decide whether to accept or decline that offer, and so the game of musical chairs takes a bit of time.

Lastly, try to enjoy the weekend! It is mother's day this weekend, so for those of you with good relationships with your parents, show them how much you care! There are other important things in life outside of med school admissions. As hard as it may seem, don't let this process determine your worth and happiness.
 
Anyone else's WL school also seem like historically the school had a lot of WL movement by now but this year it's close to being silent on sdn...? SLU had a lot more WL movement in previous years... but there has been one sdn post who got off the WL for this entire week 😢😢😢 is the class full..
 
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